Dolphins news: Ryan Fitzpatrick agrees to 2-year, $11 million deal with Miami

After dealing Ryan Tannehill the Miami Dolphins were left with a giant question mark at quarterback. That question has been answered by Ryan Fitzpatrick.

After dealing Ryan Tannehill the Miami Dolphins were left with a giant question mark at the quarterback position. That question has been answered by the signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Miami has its new starting quarterback. Dolphins reached agreement on a two-year deal with former Buccaneers’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, per source. Fitzpatrick now will join his third AFC East team, having already started for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2019

Fitzpatrick is making the rounds of the AFC East, and frankly the NFL as well. Since entering the league from Harvard University, he has played for seven teams. The Dolphins represent number eight.

This deal is worth 11 million dollars in guaranteed money, with escalators that can make it worth up to 20 million, per Adam Schefter. This is a two-year deal, but the Dolphins just want to bridge the gap to Tua Tagovailoa.

And so the Dolphins add former Buccaneers’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick for 2019, with eyes on Alabama QB Tua Tagovaiola for 2020.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2019

One thing that has been apparent throughout his career is that Fitzpatrick can never be counted out. The nickname “FitzMagic” needed to be earned. Even last season at 36 years old he made waves filling in for a struggling Jameis Winston.

There is little doubt that Fitzpatrick will move into a starting job, not a backup role. His biggest competition is Jake Rudock, followed by Luke Falk. History says that Fitzpatrick as a starter is not a good thing. Fitzpatrick is a wonderful backup as he has proven over the years, but he tends to struggle when he owns the starting job. He stole it from Winston at one point last year, but then he struggled with interceptions.

At 37, he is not going to be the answer for the Dolphins. He might not even hold the starting job to start the 2020 season. It all depends on where Miami thinks it can get its franchise quarterback. As stated earlier, the Dolphins hope he is the man still playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Fitzpatrick is something of a cult hero and has been for his whole career. Luckily for him, he doesn't even have to leave Florida. He did earn this payday following his performance filling in for Winston last year.

Welcome to the Miami era of Ryan Fitzpatrick.